Shipping container for particulate solids



Dec. 12, 1961 w. T. SHELDON, JR

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR PARTICULATE SOLIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1959 w 7 e 4 W a x 2 W/MQMCJ n w w WWW w 4 MW W Dec. 12, 1961 w. T. SHELDON, JR 3,012,650

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR PARTICULATE SOLIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1959 INV ENT OR. (/27 Tai/rzoM/e rg-rozA/m Dec. 12, 1961 w. T. SHELDON, JR 3, 0

, .SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR PARTICULATE SOLIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 8, 1959 Z4 4 46 77 2 77 zz. z:

J i A 5 Z Z i m ilirl 7 INVENTOR. 472x zlf/z'zaan/ W 0 Sc. All/ 6 Dec. 12, 1961 w. T. SHELDON, JR

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR PARTICULATE SOLIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June a; 1959 Q/ 6 a U U M 5 ,1 1 J w K Mw IIHW 5 3 w HW I w A m n L If 6 M6 M /,m 1 mm M in 3 Wm United States Patent 3,012,660 SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR PARTICULATE SOLIDS The present invention relates to a container, and, more particularly, to a container for holding and shipping a large quantity or mass of particulate solids material, as, for example, granulated molding compounds, grain, fine chemicals, and the like.

From an economic point of view, it has become increasingly desirable to package and ship particulate materials in as large a package as possible. Bulk package shipments of this type reduce the handling and permit more efiicient utilization of shipping space. Unfortunately, it is found that as the containers are made larger, problems are encountered with respect to lack of strength under service conditions.

It is accordingly an object of'the present invention to provide a shipping container which is designed to contain for shipping purposes a large quantity of particulate materials, said container being formed of relatively inexpensive, expendable material of construction, e.g., corrugated board and the like.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a container which includes a provision for ofisetting the normal settling problem encountered in packaging large quantities of the particulate solid material.

- 'It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a container which is relatively light in weight, yet is, by reason'of its design, possessed of adherent strength and rigidity, While, at the same time, is capable of easy erection and assembly from the fiat, knock-down form.-

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawings, on which there is presented for purposes of illustration only, a single embodiment of the shipping container of the invention.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective View loo-king down upon a completely assembled shipping container of the invention.

, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, three-quarter perspective view looking down on the carton of the invention is disassembled form, with the individual components in spaced relation, one above the other, in a manner illustrating the assembled relationship thereof.

, FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank which forms one of the components of the container of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the closure elements for the container of this present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank which forms a reinforcing element for an upper portion of the container of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank which forms a suspended sling member in one embodiment of the present invention.

' erally tubular container composed of a bottom wall and upstanding side walls terminating in an open end, a closure for said top end being adapted for securement to the container, a panel nestable within said container to divide said container into two compartments, said panel having apertures therein permitting material to migrate from one side of the panel to the other, and means for maintaining said panel in spaced proximate relationship with said end, and said means serving to reinforce said upper end of said container.

In a preferred embodiment of the container of this invention, there is contemplated the incorporation of a cooperating sling element containing apertures registering with said apertures in the panel, said sling serving to support the tray and also to insure maintenance of its proper spaced position from the end.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 the container 11 of the invention which includes a hollow shell element 20, upper closure cap 40, lower closure cap 40a, and elevating runners 90. Straps 12 and 13, together with an interlocking feature to be described hereinafter, secure the closures to the shell, and strap 14 binds the entire container together. I

The individual components of the container of the pres ent invention and their relationship to each other are more clearly shown in FIG. 4. In particular, this view shows the individual elements in ready-to be-assembled relationship. It can be seen that tubular, rectangular shell 20 is open at its upper and lower ends. Closure members or caps 40 and 40a, respectively, serve to close these ends, as described hereinafter. The bottom closure 40a has secured to its lower face a plurality of elevating runners 90. The top or upper end of the rectangular shell member 20 is also adapted to receive sling and tray assembly 66 which is formed of a tray 61 and a. sling 71.

The individual components have been shown in knockdown plan view in FIGS. 5-8. In particular, the rectangular shell member 20 is shown in FIG. 5 as being composed of a serially connected number of four panels 21, 22, 23, and 24, separated by fold or score lines 25. Panel 21 is provided with a glue flap 26 separated therefrom by fold line 25. The ends of the panels 21-24 are provided with flap extensions 27 which are separated from each other by a slit 28 to lend individual foldability thereto. The slits 28 extend from the outer free edge to fold line 29, forming the upper edge of the container, and to fold line 30 (in the case of the lower flaps), forming the lower edge of the container. Each of the flaps 2.7 is provided with a fold or score line 31 dividing the flap 27 into sections 27a,proximate its associated panel, and

then be folded outwardly and downwardly on the fold lines 29 and 31 at the top, and outwardly and upwardly on fold lines 30 and 31 atthe bottom. At this stage, the shell member 20 appears as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, the blank for shell member 20 is formed of three thicknesses of corrugated board, e.g., four spaced kraft liner sheets 33 having sandwiched therebetween three layers of fluted corrugating medium 34. The liner board and corrugating medium are laminated together in a manner Wellknown in the art to yield a composite multiple wall board possessing the ultimate in strength. I

The closure caps 40 and 40a for the top and bot-tom ends of the shell are formed as shown in blank in FIG. 6. The closure is formed of a linear panel 41 of corrugated board having attached by staples 41a, two panels 42 and 43 of corrugated board in a" manner as to extend from two opposite sides, such that the composite structure defines a cross. The four legs of the described cross are identically scored with a plurality of spaced parallel score or fold lines 44, 45, and 46 to define, respectively, panel 47 proximate the center 50 of the cross panel 48 extending from the panel 47, and panel 48, being outermost and remote from the center 50 of the cross. The panels 47, 48, and 49 are adapted to be folded on the score lines 44, 45, and 46 into the form shown in FIG. 4, in which they are adapted to engage the flange flaps formed at each end of the shell member 20. Each side edge of the panel 47 at each leg of the cross is provided with a cut-out or notch 51 which is conveniently used to locate steel bands which are cinched about the girth of the closure flange flaps to secure the bottom and top when the container is ready for shipping.

The tray element 61 of the tray and sling assembly 60 is shown in knock-down blank view in FIG. 7. This blank is a generally square sheet of corrugated board slitted and slotted to define a square rectangular panel 62 provided with five symmetrically located holes 63, one in the center and one at each corner. Side panels 64 are foldably attached to and extended from the side edges 65. Like flaps 66 extend foldably from the upper and lower edge 67 of the center panel 62. Each flap 66 has extending from its lateral edge a tab 68 which is separated from the flaps 64- by a slit 69. The flaps 66 are also provided with cut-outs 70 which serve as hand-holds. The tray can be easily assembled by first folding the flaps 68 upward, then folding flaps 66 about the fold line 67, while will locate the flaps 68 along the fold line 65, whereupon the flaps 64 can be folded upwardly about fold line 65, and stitching, stapling, or gluing employed to hold the elements in their erected form defining a tray. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the tray element 61 is formed of two thicknesses of corrugated board, e.g., three spaced kraft liner sheets 61a, ahving therebetween two layers 61b of fluted corrugating medium. The liner board and corrugating medium are laminated together in a manner well known in the art to yield the composite double wall board.

The sling element 71 of the tray and sling assembly 63 is shown in knock down plan view in FIG. 8. The sling element 71 is composed of a rectangular sheet of corrugated board scored to define a central panel 72 having five symmetrically located holes 73 therein, one in the center and one in each corner. On either side of the central panel 72, the board is provided with parallel spaced score or fold lines 74, 75, and 76 to define, respectively, panel 77 proximate the central panel 72, panel 78 extending from the panel 77, and panel 79 extending from panel 78 and being most remote from the center panel 72. The sling member 71 may be simply formed of a sheet of single wall board; that is, formed of two sheets of liner board having adhesively secured therebetween a layer of corrugated or fiuted medium (not shown).

The central panels 62 and 72 of the tray and sling, respectively, are the same size, and the holes located to be in registery when the two are assembled in flush face-to-face relationship. This is simply done by laying the panel 62 of tray element 61 onto the central panel 72 of sling element 61 in the manner shown in FIG. 4. Ideally, an adhesive is employed to secure the panels 62 and 72 together. The extending flaps of the sling member may then be folded as shown in FIG. 4, with the panel 77 extending upward, the panel 78 over, horizontally, and the panel 79 folded downwardly in spaced parallel relationship with the panel 77.

It will be appreciated that the elements as described are capable of being shipped in relatively flat form, from which form they can be assembled into container-forming construction by the consumer. Thus, the closure caps 40 and 40a can be simply erected by folding on the score lines of the legs of the cross-like construction shown in FIG. 6. Closure cap 49a preferably has adhesively secured to its bottom face a plurality of elevating runners formed of lengths of double-faced board laminated together (FIG. 4). The spaces 91 between these runners can then accommodate the forks of a lift truck. The principal shell member 20 may then be assembled as described hereinbefore, with the flange flaps 27a and 27b interlocking with the panel members 47, 48, and 49 of the bottom closure 40a. When interlocked, steel banding 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2) or the like is conveniently applied to secure the closure. The banding fits nicely into the notches 51 of the closure flaps. The container is then filled to about six inches from the top edge with the particulate solid material to be shipped therein. Following this, the tray member 61 is formed, as described herein above. Where conditions are not too rigorous, the tray alone (no sling member 71) is nested inside of the container until the panel 62 of the tray 61 comes to rest on the top layer of the container contents. The tray is then filled with an additional amount of material to be shipped, whereupon the top closure 49 can be applied in the same manner as was the bottom closure, by interlocking flaps 47, 48, and 49, with flange flaps 27a and 27b at the top of the shell member, and binding with steel strapping 12. A length of steel banding 14 is also wound about the entire carton as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to hold the carton together.

Particulate solid material in the container, as described. undergoes settling due to the bouncing and jostling attendant upon transportation of the container. This creates a void in the top of the container, which, however, is filled by the tray. If the settling is pronounced and creates a void below the panel 62, the material within the tray will pass through the holes 63 to fill such void, and the panel 62 will agains eat on the uppermost layer of the material formed by the settled material. The upper corners of the package will be continuously reinforced by the flanges 64 and 66, and any exterior loading (as by stacking the cartons in tiers) on these corners will be transmitted to the central panel 62, which, as indicated, rests on the contents.

Most desirably, from the standpoint of providing a shipping container of the ultimate of strength and the optimum in overcoming the settling problem, there is utilized, in addition to the tray member 61, the sling element 71, in combination therewith as a sling and tray assembly 60. The sling element, as can be seen from the drawings, has flange flaps 78 and 79 extending from two opposite sides to enclose the flaps 27a and 27b extending from the top edge of the shell member 20. The composite flange thus formed from the shell and sling flaps is enclosed by the flaps of the upper closure member 40, and strapped as described above, whereupon the tray is firmly suspended and held in the upper portion of the container, whereupon reinforcement at the critical corner positions insured.

The spaces between the runner members 90 provide convenient access for the forks of a lift truck, so that the container can be easily transported by the usual power lifting and transporting equipment. When the shipping containers containing the particulate solidshave reached their destination, the top closure is removed by snapping the steel bands (not shown) and lifting the tray and/ or sling assembly from the top of the container by means of the convenient hand-holds 70. As this is lifted, any particulate solids remaining in the tray will drain through the holes 63 and 73, or the tray can be simply inverted to drop the material into the container proper. The contents are, at this stage, readily accessible via the large open end.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the container of the present invention permits the packaging and shipping of large bulk quantities of particulate material in a manner which completely fills available space in railroad cars, trucks, and at dockage areas. The vertical strength possessed by the container construction also permits the containers to be stacked several tiers high without crushing of corners and deterioration of the package thereby. Containers of the present invention have been manufactured to a size of about 33 inches x 33 inches X 66 inches deep. Larger or smaller sizes can be fabricated, of course, to meet the particular requirements and character of the particulate solids to be contained therein.

Variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A composite package of particulate, compactible material, comprising a tubular member having a plurality of upstanding side walls foldably connected together into a tubular configuration having upper and lower open ends, lower closure means closing the lower end of said tubular configuration, upper closure means closing the upper end of said tubular configuration, a central panel disposed within said tubular member, said panel spanning said tubular member to define upper and lower compartments therein, a first quantity of said material filling said lower compartment and supporting said panel, means for restraining the downward movement of said panel relative to said side walls, support means supporting said upper closure, said support means being supported by said central panel resting on said first quantity of material, a second quantity of said material in said upper compartment, and apertures formed in said panel to allow said second quantity of material to migrate into the lower compartment as said first quantity of material compacts.

2. A composite package of particulate, compactible material, comprising a tubular member having a plurality of upstanding side walls foldably connected together into a tubular configuration having upper and lower open ends, first fiaps connected to each end of said walls, said first flaps folded exteriorly into channel 6 configuration open toward the opposite end of said wall to which they are attached, a bottom closure having flaps interlocking with the first flaps at the lower end of said tubular member, a top closure having flaps interlocking with the first flaps at the upper end of said tubular member, a tray disposed within said tubular member, said tray including a central panel spanning said tubular member to divide it into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, a first quantity of said material filling said lower compartment and supporting said panel, marginal flaps foldably attached to said central panel and abutting against said upper closure to support said upper closure, means for restricting the downward movement of said panel relative to said side walls, a second quantity of said material in said upper compartment, and apertures formed in said panel to allow said second quantity of material to migrate into the lower compartment as said first quantity of material compacts.

3. A package as defined in claim 2, wherein said tubular member, closures, and central panel are formed of corrugated paperboard of multi-ply thickness.

4. A package as defined in claim 2, wherein said means comprises a sling having a panel underlying and supporting said tray, and having flange flaps foldably secured to said panel and interfolded with said first flaps.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,152,084 Feulason Aug. 31, 1915 1,820,549 Williams Aug. 25, 1931 1,935,923 Thoke Nov. 21, 1933 2,745,587 Vander Lugt May 15, 1956 2,794,588 George et al June 4,1957 2,830,749 Lauritzen Apr. 15, 1958 2,833,094 Moore May 6, 1958 2,899,782 Haidegger Aug. 18. 1959 

